Box Score
WEST CHESTER, Pa. – Down by 19 points at half time, a valiant comeback fell just short at Hollinger Field House Saturday afternoon, as host West Chester dropped a 69-68 decision to visiting Millersville in a tight PSAC East women's basketball contest.
West Chester (15-5, 11-5 PSAC) trailed most of the game, but fought back to make a thrilling finish. Millersville (13-7, 10-6) led comfortably often, but were pressured at the end by the resilient Golden Rams. With the loss, West Chester sits a game back of Bloomsburg (12-4) and one game in front of Millersville in the tight league standings.
In a stark contrast to their performance Wednesday night, the Golden Rams shot quite below average in the first half, shooting 24.3 percent from the field and 14.3 percent from behind the 3-point arc. Millersville, in contrast, shot 48.5 percent from the field and 29.2 percent with the 3-pointer.
The Marauders jumped out to an early lead thanks to a 16-0 run, sparked by nine points from guard Carly Gallagher. Millersville held its largest lead (19) with 49 seconds left in the first half and that’s how both teams entered the break.
West Chester came alive in the second half, however, starting the stanza with a 14-5 run of its own, sparked by brilliant all-around play by guards Allison Hostetter and Jillian Keefer. Both teams traded baskets for most of the half with West Chester clawing their way back to within seven with 2:20 left in the game.
Forward Ambreelinne Ortman converted two free throws, and Alexandra Lennon made a crucial layup to bring the score to 67-63. Gallagher then answered back with two free throws to extend the lead to six with just over a minute remaining in the close contest. Hostetter than made a clutch 3-pointer to bring it to a three-point game, the closest it had been since 15:30 in the first half.
The unrelenting Golden Rams defense caused a crucial Millersville turnover, and West Chester had a chance to tie the game with 14 seconds left. A layup by West Chester guard Meghan Kerrigan closed it to one, but that is how the game finished with the final score, 69-68.
Lennon led the Golden Rams with 19 points, and Ortman and Hostetter both finished in double figures with 18 and 13, respectively. West Chester finished shooting 40.5 percent with an impressive 56.8 percent showing in the second half. Ten players for the Golden Rams contributed points to the game.
Millersville forwards Aurielle Moseley and Gallagher led the Marauders with 18 points each. Moseley recorded a double-double, with 14 rebounds. Mashira Newman and Miesha Cousins were the other Millersville players to finish in double digits, finishing with 12 and 10, respectively.
West Chester will next be in action against Kutztown at home in a crucial PSAC East contest Wednesday night at 6 p.m.
